Fresh Talk: Athena marches with the women’s movement

Women chant and sing during a rally organized by Women's March NYC at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (Kathy Willens/AP)

Why do women march?

We march to end violence — violence against ourselves, against family members, against the downtrodden of a society. We march for civil rights, the rights of the LBGTQIA community and for equal rights in the workplace.

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In a society free of prejudice and hate, all human beings should be considered equal, regardless of race, religion or economic status.

In the mythology of ancient Greece, Athena was the daughter of Zeus, the god of all the gods. She was the goddess of wisdom and war, praised for her compassion, generosity, wisdom and rational thought. Yet she was also the goddess of the city, protector of civic life, and she was a patron of the arts.

And she could fight. She fought against Paris in the Trojan War, helped Perseus fight against Medusa and proceeded to help Hercules drive away the Stymphalian birds.

Today, we can understand Athena’s role as a historical leader in the women’s movement. Today, Athena marches with us.

The feminist movement has grown through the direct example of Gloria Steinem and even Rosa Parks. It has also grown through negative pressure, in the behavior of public figures such as Bill Cosby, former President Bill Clinton and current President Donald Trump. President Trump has been videotaped making vulgar comments about women, objectifying them and presenting them as inferior to men.

These actions have inspired women to join together in cities across America, making signs and using nonviolent resistance, to shed light on a social injustice and promote equality.

Sharry emphasizes that Athena uses skill and intellect to avoid war while still appearing powerful and warlike.

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In the same way, women’s marches in New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., gave off a very powerful and aggressive impression. But the women are intelligent and responsible enough to spread their message across the nation using a form of nonviolent resistance, much like Athena, with banners and chants.

While it is important for women to remain nonviolent when fighting for such a serious cause, it is imperative that they do not, as Sharry says, “underestimate the ‘cloak’ of power.” The appearance of power should be taken just as seriously as the fight for change through nonviolent means.

When women across America take pride, speak up and have confidence in their strong appearances, just like Athena did, respect for women in society will grow around the world.

Women’s rights are important for an endless number of reasons. Women should have all of the same rights and opportunities regarding professions, salaries and respect that men do.

By partaking in marches, women have channeled Athena, who was wise enough to stand up against civil injustice as well as lead for a cause that hits close to home.

Athena will always march among us.

Julia Ritchie is an 18-year-old first-year student at the University of Connecticut. She is from Old Lyme.

The Courant invites writers younger than 30 to write essays of 650 words or less containing strong views. Please email your submission to freshtalk@courant.com, with your full name, home town, daytime phone number, age and occupation (or your school’s name and your level in school).